What happens when an access point is configured to support multiple modes?

When an access point is configured to support multiple modes, it can lead to a decrease in overall radio performance. This is because the access point may need to manage different protocols or standards simultaneously, which can introduce overhead and complexity in data transmission. The device has to communicate with various clients potentially using different Wi-Fi standards, which can result in inefficiencies. For instance, if some clients are using older Wi-Fi standards, this may slow down the overall performance of the access point as it allocates resources to accommodate those clients while also servicing more modern devices.

Furthermore, supporting multiple modes could lead to increased interference and contention for bandwidth, reducing the effectiveness of the radio signal. Therefore, while there may be scenarios where flexibility is beneficial, generally, having an access point operate in mixed modes can compromise its ability to deliver optimal performance for all clients connected to it.